Defence Minister Nirmala Seetharaman on Sunday called upon social media volunteers of the BJP to brace up to face the challenges posed by rival parties through social media by effectively disseminating the achievements, programmes and policies of the government and also, to counter the false, misleading and mischievous propaganda of the opposition.
She was speaking at the training camp of about 2,000 social media volunteers organized by the IT cell of the BJP at Gurugram. Chief Minister Manohar Lal was also present at the event.
Describing social media volunteers as social media jawans, she gave them tips on use of language and curbing of anti-national activities while posting on various social media platforms.
She called upon social media volunteers to use technology to convey to the people the historic work done in last five years by the party under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendar Modi.
The volunteers should also detail out the advantages passed on to various sections of the society through various public welfare schemes launched by the BJP government at the Centre, she said.
Seetharaman said it is also the responsibility of the social media jawans to counter to rumours and misconceptions being spread by the rivals on various social media platforms.
The Defence Minister said that the opposition is engaged in spreading rumours under its conspiracy against the government due to the growing popularity of the BJP.
It is the responsibility of social media workers to stop these rumours and misunderstandings and to promote government policies in the right way, Seetharaman said adding that in today's technological phase, people are spreading rumours through social media, keep an eye on these rumours and tell the public that they do not get believe in rumours.
She also advised social media volunteers to keep a control on the language they use. Language being used by BJP social media jawans should be civilised whatever the provocation maybe, she said adding that BJP is committed to counter its opponents in a civilised manner.
Seetharaman further said that after the Pulwama attack against a CRPF convoy and Balakot air strike, the number of misleading videos increased on the social media. It is the duty of social media cell of BJP to effectively counter these misleading videos and posts, she added.
Speaking on the occasion, Chief Minister Manohar Lal said that anti-national forces have become active on the social media and BJP social media volunteers must effectively counter them.
Manohar Lal said that these anti-national forces are spreading misconceptions about various issues and these need to be crushed. The social media cell of the BJP must effectively spread the policies and programmes of the Centre and State governments, the Chief Minister said.
He said due to charismatic leadership provided by Prime Minister Narendar Modi, the opposition is jittery due to which false and misleading propaganda is increasing.
These forces are trying to suppress us but we must not be cowed down and effectively counter the misleading propaganda and at the same time present our agenda before the masses, he said adding that social media is the best platform for the promotion of government policies.